Jeff Steve

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Owner

Builder

Designer

Outdoor Enthusiast

Everyone Likes a Good Story 

My daughter jokes that a palm reader would have trouble reading my hands because of all the callouses. I’ve spent a good portion of my life in white-collar positions donning many hats from legal researcher and writer to litigation technology director for major law firms, but my hands betray the hats I like to wear the most: a musician and woodworker.

My weathered hands are a gift from my late father Jack "Charlie" Steve, who instilled in me the values of hard work, careful craftsmanship, and living with a mindset balanced between humor and zen. As a kid, I would watch as he toiled away in his home workshop on the days he wasn’t teaching classes at North Idaho College. I still use his old lathe for my own woodwork; recently refurbished and running good as new. My fondness for paddling came from my mom Elizabeth “Mabel” Steve whose Minnesotan roots and love for the water made her an expert at canoeing.

I grew up on the lake in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho framed by rolling forests of Doug Fir, Pine, Aspen, and Cedar with fresh air and idyllic views. Fresh lake water and bundles of cedar logs were my front yard. I spent my summers at the beach paddling canoe with my mom and sailing with Charlie. After college, I honed my skills with wood at Murphy Marine Construction by helping to build the docks and marinas that stretched into the lake. I performed classical guitar at the community Arts Festival co-founded by my parents and had the privilege of learning classical guitar from world-class musician Leon Atkinson. Someday, I hope to expand my business to crafting fine acoustic guitars some day.

Ventura Boat Works is the natural progression of a lifelong passion. Over the years I’ve dedicated my free time to artistic endeavors and practical projects. At some point, I came back to my roots: life on the water.

Nowadays, I live by the ocean in Southern California. I appreciate the simple things in life. There’s nothing better than a life spent outdoors, connecting with nature, and pursuing what you love.

For me, that means designing and building the highest quality wooden adventure companions for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. A work of art that is both stunning to look at and trustworthy to carry you through the elements.

With every commission, I dedicate my time to ensuring the utmost functionality, durability, and structural integrity while infusing custom design elements that you envision for your craft.

Inquire about building your own unique piece here.